The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-09
FROM THE CAPITAL.
Arbor Day Between the Tenth and
Fifteenth of May.
State Prison convIcts who Wants
Pardons.
Augusta Druggists in Stew over
the Liquor Law.
Special to the Press.l

SNSSAAs, Apiu Ollie Governor Will
undoubtedly designate date between the
10th and 18th of May as Arbor Day, and is
about to issue his proclamation. The day
VIII be devoted to Iplanting trees in public
places and on private grounds for adorn-
ment. The day will not so far become a
holiday, however, as to annul contracts, but
the schools will probably close.
The election of General of the Brigade
occurs on the Goth inst. 1t would seem from
present indications that the first ballot will
be tie, and on the second Major B. ]. Hill
of Auburn, will receive an election.
The Governor and Council will have busy
session when they meet on the 26th inst
The petitioners for pardons. .have.already be-
gun operations. The well known John &.
Lawrence, the Bangor murderer, now serv-
ing out sentence in the State Prison, and
who in the past has repeatedly asked Glenn
ency of the old councils, again petitions for a
pardon and the matter will be given a hear
ing at the coming meeting. James A. Carey
of Portland, in prison for forgery, also wants
pardon.
From Franklin county comes numerous
ly signed petition for the appointment of
special constables for the enforcement of the
liquor law.
No action has been taken yet regarding
the appropriation Of $1,000 to be expended
for the clothing of the militia, and it is
doubtful if the soldier boys get their new
clothing in season to shine in it at the
next muster 1t is expected that some aid
will be obtained from the general govern
Ind oil Iox calb bx,C ~,
in 1908, the State obtained $4,000 annually in
ammunition. Now the last Congress in
creased the appropriation, so that the State
will receive double this amount of money. 1t
is thought sthat this $4,000 increase may be
used to increase the fund for clothing. The
old swallow-tail garment will most likely be
disposed of, and a tasty dress coat, with
short skirts, adopted.
The druggists here are much concerned
about the liquor law passed by the last Leg
islature which takes effect the 18th inst.
The prima fdcie section which is the
teeth of the bill, is exciting much spe, ula-
tion. A well known lawyer, a member of
the Legislature, who voted for the ill,
says there is a serious question as to the
strength of the prina facie clause. Hereto
fore, primG Jacie evidence has been en-
ployed almost wholly in civil cases and has
not been admissible as conclusive in crimi-
nal actions Now the effectiveness of the
law seems to hinge ON this; Must the pros
ecution furnish evidence in addition to the
proof that the respondent pays United
States retailers tax, or shall the respondent
be obliged to present evidence that he did not
sell liquor? The druggists propose to take
a test case to the court for decision, and if
the payment of a retailers tax is held as con-
elusive then the liquor dealers will be in
bad box; otherwise there will be no serious
change from the present state of affairs. This
is the lawyers opinion and can be taken for
what it is worth. Many Of the liquor sellers
here have shut up shop and departed for
parts unknown. They are afraid of the.
Grand Jury, as the new County Attorney,
l.. T. Carleton. is making strenuous efforts
to indict offenders against the law.
The biggest volume of acts and resolves
which has ever been published by the state
will be that to be issued aboutsthe last of the
present month or the first of April. 1t will
be book of over 700 pages, and the working
force of the department of the Secretary of
State is busily engaged in preparing. arrang-
ing,indexing and reading proof. All the proof
is read twice and the utmost care
is exercised to prevent any mis-
takes which might occur in
Augusta has no cause to complain at the
new schedule of freight rates on the railroads
as the cost to Boston and local points is less
than under the old. Indeed, local rates are
reduced in many instances as much as 25 per
cent. The commercial men who are accus-
toned to take big, weighty trunks about with
them, ARE notin very pleasant frame of mind,
as their bills for extra baggage are sorely
felt There is talk of putting another steamer
on the route between the Kennebec and Bos-
ton and thus making more trips. 1t would no
doubt be great convenience and find plenty
of business, at least during the busy season.
There is considerable excitement in Au-
gusta just now over land speculation in Kan
sas, and quite a number have the Western
fever. Two Augusta bank cashiers have de-
cided to make their homes in Kansas. Sew
eral citizens here have invested money in
that State within year, and made hand
some profits, and this has infected others.
Two well known Augusta capitalists are
now in western city speculating in lands.